By Doug Young

This article appeared in the March 2011 edition of Acoustic Guitar Magazine (read the full article here) We thought it was very informative, and could help our customers who might be thinking about ordering a custom guitar from one of the makers we deal with. We have posted some excerpts below, and inserted our own comments in italics.

We live in a world in which mass manufacturing and global distribution have made it possible to buy almost anything we want. When it comes to guitars, large manufacturers are turning out increasingly high-quality instruments at affordable prices, and advanced production techniques have made it possible for factories to offer options and a degree of customization that would have been impractical or too expensive not long ago. But there is also a thriving cottage industry of individual luthiers who can build completely custom instruments tailored to your needs.

With the range of ready-made choices widely available, you might wonder why you should consider a custom guitar. First of all, there are some very practical, pragmatic reasons, starting with basic ergonomic needs (see "Guitar Ergonomics 101," January 2011). You might benefit from a unique neck geometry that fits your hands better, a thinner or smaller body that is easier on your shoulder, or custom electronics to better capture your live playing style. In short, any feature or combination of features that you can't find in a stock instrument might justify a custom order. For example, imagine that you'd like a large-body, short-scale instrument with extra-wide string spacing, a rounded neck profile, and a Florentine cutaway. All of those features can be found on production instruments individually, but may be difficult to find in combination.

For many guitarists, the reasons have more to do with aesthetics; a particularly meaningful inlay or an instrument made from especially beautiful wood. Some guitarists just relish the experience of custom-ordering a guitar, being involved in the process, and perhaps above all, ending up with a unique, heirloom-quality instrument.

In this article, we'll explore the process of ordering a custom guitar’Äîlooking at types of builders, guitar sizes, neck shapes, wood options, and where and how you might place your order.

Who Offers Custom Guitars?

The first step for anyone considering a custom instrument is to survey the landscape to understand what is possible and who offers custom instruments. For many guitarists, this process may reveal a previously hidden and fascinating world. If you live near a good store that specializes in acoustic instruments, talk to the sales staff to see if they can point you in the right direction. Some shops have working relationships with guitar makers and routinely place their own custom orders. They may be able to recommend local luthiers, and if the brands they carry from larger manufacturers offer custom options, they should be able to help you with the ordering process.

House of Musical Traditions is a dealer for Goodall, Bourgeois and Breedlove guitars, all of which offer custom-built instruments. We also work with a few locally-based luthiers, such as Steve Carmody, Bob Gramann and Scott Morgan.

For the greatest range of options, you can explore the vast world of individual luthiers who work in their own independent shops -- often by themselves -- building instruments one at a time. The easiest way to educate yourself about these builders is to attend one of the large guitar festivals that feature displays by independent luthiers, such as the Healdsburg Guitar Festival in Santa Rosa, California; the Montreal Guitar Show in Canada; or the Luthier's Showcase in Woodstock, New York, where you can check out hundreds of custom guitars and discuss your options directly with the exhibiting luthiers.

Choose a Builder

You can help ensure the success of your order by choosing a guitar maker who specializes in the kind of instrument you have your heart set on. Some luthiers focus on creating vintage-style instruments that capture the magic of a previous era, while others are known for building cutting-edge modern instruments. Some primarily build small-body guitars, while others specialize in baritone or other large-scale instruments. Some build a fairly narrow range of styles -- perhaps just a single body size -- while others will build practically anything. California luthier Matthew Mustapick recommends against requesting something outside of what a luthier has experience with, but at the same time, he acknowledges "that's how I ended up building baritones, fanned frets, and instruments with extra strings." Wisconsin luthier Paul Woolson says he will readily refer a customer to another luthier if the customer's desires are not a good match, but at the same time frequently takes on radical challenges, even creating custom body shapes. "I'll do anything if I feel it will be a successful project," Woolson says. "For example, I recently finished a double-neck guitar, which required new molds for the body, and all new math for neck tension."

One of the interesting aspects of ordering a custom instrument is working with the luthier, and even seeing the construction in progress. If that is important to you, you might want to look at builders who live near you. Visiting a luthier in person not only adds a sense of personal connection to your instrument, but it provides the chance for you to discuss your music and perhaps play a few tunes, so the luthier understands your style and what you are looking for. In many cases, you can even choose the specific sets of wood that will be used on your guitar.

Before you place your order, you should inquire about the luthier's lead time, as well as payment terms. Lead times can range from a few weeks or months for simple customizations to a factory-built guitar to multiple years for some builders. A deposit (typically a percentage of the final cost) is usually requested when you order the guitar, and sometimes additional payments are scheduled later in the process; when work on your guitar begins, for example. The luthier might also want upfront payment for certain materials. Some worry about the risk in ordering a guitar sight-unseen. To help minimize the risk, it's usually a good idea to have fallen in love with a luthier's instruments before you order. Ideally, you should have played an instrument that approaches your dream design, even if it doesn't have the exact specs you want. Many builders offer a satisfaction guarantee, but be aware that there might be some limitations to this if your requests are so unusual that they will make it difficult for the luthier to sell the guitar if you decide to return it.

Design Your Dream

Once you decide to place your order, there are a number of choices you'll need to make. Body size and shape are important, of course, and you will probably have contemplated the general size of guitar you want before you even started looking. Most luthiers offer a set of body styles, and while some may be able to make accommodations, you will probably choose one of their existing models. The question then is: what are you going to customize?

Pick Your Woods

For many guitarists, the choice of tonewoods is the main consideration, and that choice is often made based on a desired tone and/or visual appeal. Your first step should be to narrow your choices based on the tone you are looking for. Perhaps you'd love to explore exotic woods, maybe you want a guitar built with a type of wood you don't already own, or perhaps you have preferences based on past experience.

As you start to explore your options, you will quickly discover that there are seemingly endless variations in woods. If you settle on a spruce top, for example, you can explore all the spruce varieties: Sitka, Adirondack, Engelmann, German, Carpathian, Bosnian, etc. (see "Top Woods," March 2010). The woods used for the back and sides offer more visual variety and come in an even wider range of exotic types. There are many types of mahogany and rosewood as well as maple, ziricote, Macassar ebony, African blackwood, bubinga, and dozens, maybe hundreds, more. Although guitarists often ignore conventional woods in the pursuit of novelty, Mustapick points out that one need not get carried away with exotic choices to get a great guitar. "There are many amazing Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce guitars," he says. "It's worth remembering that the reason those other woods are more expensive is only because they're harder to find."

Besides the top, back, and sides, you can also choose the woods used for such decorative elements as the binding, headstock overlays, center strip, and so on. While these have little or no impact on the tone, they help create an artistic impression and tie together your other wood choices.

When choosing wood, be aware of the ecological and sustainability issues surrounding many exotic woods. There are legal and ethical problems with many of the woods that are frequently desired for guitars, especially woods used for backs and sides. A number of luthiers and guitar companies have stopped working with certain types of wood, some of which -- most famously, Brazilian rosewood -- require documentation when crossing borders. You should understand and consider your own position on these issues, and be aware of potential problems if you plan to travel internationally with your instrument.

Size and Shape Modifications

Working with a luthier often means that you have the opportunity to design the guitar to be more comfortable. Some offer other modifications to make guitars more comfortable. Wedge-shaped bodies -- pioneered by luthier Linda Manzer -- make a large body seem smaller by tapering the width toward the top. Armrests, which eliminate the sharp edge on the guitar's top, have also become popular, and their placement can often be customized so that the armrest falls in exactly the right location for your arm. Cutaways are another option that can usually be added to any body size. Many builders offer a choice of Florentine (pointed) or Venetian (rounded) cutaways, but some may accommodate different shapes and depths to facilitate higher fret access.

Another area guitarists should consider is how the guitar's basic construction meets their needs. For example, players with an exceptionally light touch may wish for a guitar that is lightly braced. While details of internal structure are best left to the luthier, making sure your builder understands your playing style will allow him or her to make the proper adjustments. Different luthiers often take very different approaches to a guitar's construction, and their choice of X-bracing, lattice bracing, ladder bracing, or double-top approaches have an affect on the builder's signature tone, which is worth being aware of and considering when you choose a builder.

Inlay and Rosettes

Aesthetic options such as inlay are fairly straightforward. Many builders offer a selection of preset patterns, and many will work with you to create anything you can imagine, even incorporating your own custom artwork. Rosettes are also a good place for creative choices, and they can be designed using pearl, wood, or other materials. Although many luthiers do their own inlay, there are also inlay specialists. For example, Larry Robinson, who did the inlay on Martin's millionth guitar among many others, works directly with both guitarists and luthiers to add everything from fret markers to complex artwork on headstocks and even pickguards. "Most people come to me for either position markers or full fingerboard workup: a vine or a scene. I do get a lot of names, initials on the 12th fret, and so on," Robinson says. People tend to think inlay is expensive, especially from a well-known artist like Robinson, but he notes that "My base price is $100 and probably 25 to 30 percent of my business is under $300."

Neck Geometry

Of course a custom guitar offers an opportunity to go beyond appearances and create an instrument with functional features intended specially for you. Neck geometry, for example, can have a significant impact on a guitar's playability. Nearly all builders, including custom factory programs, can accommodate a choice of scale length, neck width, and string spacing. The larger factories tend to offer set choices, such as nut widths of 111/16, 13/4, or 113/16 inches and short (24.9 inches) or standard scales (25.5 inches).

Steel-string guitars are typically designed with 14 frets to the body, but you might consider a 12- or even 13-fret model. Smaller shops can often accommodate virtually any neck specification, including longer scales or even multiscale (fanned-fret) necks.

When it comes to string spacing, consider the width of the neck at the nut, string spacing at the nut, string spacing at the saddle, and width of the neck at upper frets. The neck profile is also another variable. Many luthiers will build any thickness and contour that you desire and can work with you to find the best size for your hands. San Francisco-area luthier Ervin Somogyi requests a tracing of each customer's hands before he starts building an instrument, so he can recommend the best size and shape.

Neck material is also a possible option. While many builders use one-piece mahogany necks, maple and other woods are also used, and multipiece necks can provide more stability-- useful if you change tunings a lot. Most builders have a particular style of neck; one piece or multipiece, so if the neck construction style is important to you be sure to consider that upfront when choosing a builder.

The fingerboard is another customizable element. Ebony is a common material, but you could also choose rosewood, maple, or many other woods. And finally, even frets come in different thicknesses and heights, which can have a significant impact on how the guitar feels.

Hardware Options

Don't forget about all the little details on the guitar, including tuning machines, nut and saddle materials, and bridge pins. The type of tuning machines you choose can make a big difference, and some players prefer tuners that have high gear ratios for a smooth feel, while others prefer the faster action of lower gear ratios. You can also choose between open-back and sealed tuners and even the material and color of the tuner buttons.

Bone nuts and saddles are common, but you might consider other materials, which can have an effect on the tone, as well as an aesthetic value. Similarly, there is debate about whether bridge-pin material has any sonic effect, but you can choose from wood, bone, metal, and various synthetic materials. Pinless bridges are another option that some players prefer for faster string changing. It's possible to overspecify these small details, of course.

A guitar is the sum of its parts and making everything work together both functionally and aesthetically is something the builder has probably put a lot of thought into. Mustapick says, "I like to keep the guitar simple; I like to keep it cohesive."

Finish Up

The type of finish used on your guitar is another thing to consider. Common finishes include nitrocellulose lacquer, polyurethane-based finishes, various types of oil varnish, French polish, and more. Some guitarists prefer a high-gloss finish, while others prefer the subtle look of a satin finish, and others like to combine the two, such as gloss on the body and satin on the neck. Many luthiers work with only one type of basic finish and may only do nitrocellulose lacquer or polyurethane, so if you care about the type of finish, consider this when you choose your builder.

The Building Process

Working with the luthier to finalize your design can be fun, and part of the journey is learning how to both discover and communicate your wishes. "I enjoy finding the common language and creating a clear picture of where the guitar is supposed to go in terms of feel, tone, and aesthetics," says Southern California's Kathy Wingert. "All humans vary a little in their communication style, but stating requests in a positive way -- what is desired -- is much more effective than starting by defining that which is to be avoided."

Remember that many luthiers are players as well and that you can benefit from their expertise and artistic and creative instincts. There is a lot of mythology among guitarists about the impact of wood choices, for example, but in many cases, the luthier's design, choice of bracing, and fine-tuning of the instrument affect overall tone more than the specific woods used. Part of the process is finding a luthier you trust to create a great instrument and letting them do what they do best. Although some people want to specify every detail, you might want to leave some aspects to the builder. "One of my current customers asked for me to include a surprise," Wingert says. "He said he doesn't care if it is a secret dot, or what it is. I love that!"

While communication is important, luthiers need to get work done, and constant phone calls to check on your guitar's progress, visits to the shop, etc., cut into their time. Some luthiers try to accommodate their clients' interest in the progress of their instrument by using their website or e-mail to share photos. Although this allows clients to keep in touch with luthiers who live far away, taking photos, uploading them, and sending e-mails also takes time, ultimately causing delays in your -- or another customer's -- guitar. Mustapick has developed a process that tries to balance the competing demands. "I share pictures with my customers halfway through the soundbox being built," he says, "and then more once the soundbox is complete, when it's ready for lacquer, and when it's done."

Ordering a custom guitar requires patience and a sense of adventure. But for those who make the leap, it can be a rewarding and educational experience, starting with the time spent researching and exploring, working with your luthier of choice, and waiting in anticipation. Once you receive your instrument, you will not only own a one-of-a-kind instrument designed just for you, but you will have the satisfaction of being involved in its creation. With any luck, your efforts will pay off with a guitar that fits your specific needs and that will inspire a lifetime of playing.

Custom Factory Guitars

Some large guitar companies can provide an amazing amount of customization, along with the benefits that come with their manufacturing expertise.

Ordering a custom guitar from a factory builder adds an element of predictability, at the cost of personal interaction. Companies like Martin and Taylor are known for their consistency and have well-known tonal characteristics. But you won't be able to have a personal conversation with the person who builds your instrument; and, in fact, multiple people will be involved. And although you may specify a particular type of wood, you may not be able to pick out the specific set. On the other hand, ordering is fast and easy, and orders are usually placed through your local dealer, who can help you with the process. Turnaround time can be measured in weeks or months. Prices on a custom order run somewhat higher than a similar stock instrument, although of course your custom choices -- the reason for the custom order in the first place -- often add significantly to the cost over that of a basic model.

Though we don't consider Goodall, Bourgeois or Breedlove "Factory Guitars" (Goodall, for instruments, is just James and Luke Goodall building), most of the custom guitars you can order through us would fall under this category. We help you pick the features and do all or most of the communication with the builder.

Customization Choices

GEOMETRY: body size/shape, cutaway, scale length, nut width, string spacing at nut and saddle, neck contour

WOOD CHOICES: top, back and sides, binding, neck, fretboard, headstock

OTHER: inlay, rosette, fret markers, wedge, armrest, string configuration (seven-string, eight-string, harp strings), electronics, case

FINISH: nitrocellulose lacquer, polyurethane, ultraviolet-cured lacquer, French polish, satin, gloss

HARDWARE: tuners, bridge pins, strap pins, saddle and nut material

Contributing editor Doug Young is a San Francisco Bay-area fingerstyle guitarist